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Marsden Road Uniting Church - aggregated feeds in category Syndicated BlogsenWhitestarhaven's Ramblings: Comfort in Our Anxiety.http://whitestarhaven.blogspot.com/2018/12/comfort-in-our-anxiety_14.html
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaLw2abcOdY/XBNhNlFleII/AAAAAAAAEMs/4inbN4SWbB0tY0hAXZOqTDbUcn2ZxvNDQCLcBGAs/s1600/anxiety-01-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HaLw2abcOdY/XBNhNlFleII/AAAAAAAAEMs/4inbN4SWbB0tY0hAXZOqTDbUcn2ZxvNDQCLcBGAs/s200/anxiety-01-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We have seen all sorts of really traumatic and difficult things over this past year and it would not be difficult to become anxious and depressed. Yet we have also seen things that encourage and bring hope such as the rescue of the soccer team boys in Thailand. So as the stress and hectic rush leading to Christmas begins to overwhelm us, we are reminded in scripture not to be anxious. The Apostle Paul tells us not to be anxious—not to worry—about anything. But we tend to be people who worry about everything. Some of us plunge into worry quicker and deeper than others.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We worry about what will happen if someone doesn’t show up for the big family Christmas dinner (and also about what might happen if they do!). We worry about getting into the right school or university and about the financial aid package coming through. We worry about the cancer coming back and about our company being bought out. We worry about the security of our jobs and the safety of our children. The congregation I serve has had a difficult year with the death of a number of deeply faithful and involved members who had been part of the fellowship for 30 to 40 years and the distraction of problems with the local City Council over some work done. I would not be surprised if a number of our members were worried about what the future will bring and how long we can last as an entity despite over 150 years of life as a congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sRp-dAx61A/XBNhvdvsnlI/AAAAAAAAENA/VMr9yOGrfX0mol1pILjJbsb5-1UT00rwACLcBGAs/s1600/5839541_keep_calm_its_contageous_phil_44_7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sRp-dAx61A/XBNhvdvsnlI/AAAAAAAAENA/VMr9yOGrfX0mol1pILjJbsb5-1UT00rwACLcBGAs/s200/5839541_keep_calm_its_contageous_phil_44_7.png" width="171" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With so much to worry about, how is it that St Paul of Tarsus can tell us not to worry and not to be anxious? When Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in his Nazi prison cell, he penned a poem that included these words to the effect that we fearlessly wait, come what may, because God is with us on every new day. St Paul, writing to the church in Philippi from his own prison cell, says something similar. Why is it that we need not be anxious or afraid? Is it because whatever we are worried about is really “no big deal”? Or because God guarantees that everything will turn out for the best? Or even because God won’t give us any more hardship or pain than we can handle? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">No. St Paul says that we need not be anxious or afraid because “the Lord is near.” That is the good news to which everything else in this text is tethered. “The Lord (our God) is near,” even while we wait for God to come in all fullness. In fact, St Paul says, God is as close as a prayer. And when God’s children take their worries and anxieties to their Lord in prayer, God will exchange their anxiety for a peace and calm for their worried hearts filled with love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-bhI4YXH9I/XBNhks2YSTI/AAAAAAAAEM4/YEKv5xVAQE0DkBaQHglQ5kLJH5mzw9LZgCLcBGAs/s1600/advent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-bhI4YXH9I/XBNhks2YSTI/AAAAAAAAEM4/YEKv5xVAQE0DkBaQHglQ5kLJH5mzw9LZgCLcBGAs/s200/advent1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The sight of a mother cradling a squirming child in her arms and singing lullabies over him until he finally goes limp may be one of the sweetest and most serene things we can witness in this life. It’s a scene as old as time, and perhaps it is what the prophet Zephaniah had in mind when he wrote one of the final (and most famous!) verses of his book: “The&nbsp;Lord, your God, is in your midst, ............; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you&nbsp;in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). When heard in the context of the other lectionary passages for the Third Sunday of Advent, God’s often anxious and worried children can receive these words as an invitation to climb into the lap of their heavenly parent so that our heavenly parent might sooth them with the songs of love and care. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then, having heard these songs, they might offer their God one of their own, perhaps borrowing words from the prophet Isaiah: “God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). While the Apostle Paul seems to be doing everything, he can to free us from anxiety, John the Baptist seems to be doing everything he can to create anxiety in us. John’s words are so full of alarm, he seems so determined to set us on edge. For John the Baptist, the news that “the Lord is near” is not only a promise that ought to comfort the afflicted. It is also a promise that ought to afflict the </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-T1uQmOoHw/XBNhzfEXrPI/AAAAAAAAENE/N3-ytPYN6zAzvERuYmh_rVK9u_3QEIU2QCLcBGAs/s1600/5bb7c0c61f00000002251f3c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-T1uQmOoHw/XBNhzfEXrPI/AAAAAAAAENE/N3-ytPYN6zAzvERuYmh_rVK9u_3QEIU2QCLcBGAs/s200/5bb7c0c61f00000002251f3c.jpeg" width="165" /></a></div>comfortable!<o:p></o:p><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br />Fri, 14 Dec 2018 07:56:00 +0000Margaret's Sunday Reflections: Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 9 December 2018http://margaretssundayreflections.blogspot.com/2018/12/sunday-service-marsden-road-uniting_10.html
<br /><div class="Body" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div>This week's blog is by Rev. John Candy<br /><div class="Body" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Comfort in Our Anxiety.</span></b><br /><strong><span style="color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: large;"></span></strong><b><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 16pt;">Look around. This place is filled with those who thank God every time they think of you. By the Lord</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 16pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 16pt;">s grace and compassion, this place is filled with those who hold you in their hearts, those whose prayers for you are filled with joy. Share the peace of Christ Jesus with one another. (From the service today.)</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZfSJxyRSkA/XA4u8svwvOI/AAAAAAAACZ8/xhNadtK5rgUDSUNeEpDiw1oEKfwIUGOqgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Candy%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZfSJxyRSkA/XA4u8svwvOI/AAAAAAAACZ8/xhNadtK5rgUDSUNeEpDiw1oEKfwIUGOqgCEwYBhgL/s320/Candy%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">We have seen all sorts of really traumatic and difficult things over this past year and it would not be difficult to become anxious and depressed. Yet we have also seen things that encourage and bring hope such as the rescue of the soccer team boys in Thailand. So as the stress and hectic rush leading to Christmas begins to overwhelm us, we are reminded in scripture not to be anxious. The Apostle Paul tells us not to be anxious—not to worry—about anything. But we tend to be people who worry about everything.</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">We worry about what will happen if someone doesn</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">t show up for the big family Christmas dinner (and also about what might happen if they do!). We worry about getting into the right school or university and about the financial aid package coming through. We worry about the cancer coming back and about our company being bought out. We worry about the security of our jobs and the safety of our kids. The congregation I serve has had a difficult year with the death of a number of deeply faithful and involved members who had been part of the fellowship for 30 to 40 years and the distraction of problems with the local Council. I would not be surprised if a number of our members were worried about what the future will bring and how long we can last as an entity despite over 150 years of life as a congregation.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy5jVVfI7A/XA4u829XTOI/AAAAAAAACaQ/9IwazNzUCMssUbNiFFFkyFUQNaAdhbRnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/candy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy5jVVfI7A/XA4u829XTOI/AAAAAAAACaQ/9IwazNzUCMssUbNiFFFkyFUQNaAdhbRnQCEwYBhgL/s320/candy%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">With so much to worry about, how is it that St Paul of Tarsus can tell us not to worry and not to be anxious? When Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in his Nazi prison cell, he penned a poem that included these words to the effect that we fearlessly wait, come what may, because God is with us on every new day. St Paul, writing to the church in Philippi from his own prison cell, says something similar. Why is it that we need not be anxious or afraid? Is it because whatever we are worried about is really </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">no big deal</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">? Or because God guarantees that everything will turn out for the best? Or even because God won</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">t give us any more hardship or pain than we can handle?</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njqhitlx7R4/XA4u85ceRHI/AAAAAAAACaU/Krt7-8mHhLs95o226fDgd6iGSMGXPepuwCEwYBhgL/s1600/candy%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njqhitlx7R4/XA4u85ceRHI/AAAAAAAACaU/Krt7-8mHhLs95o226fDgd6iGSMGXPepuwCEwYBhgL/s320/candy%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="file:///C:/Users/Temp/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image006.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="267" /></a></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">No. St Paul says that we need not be anxious or afraid because </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">the Lord is near.</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">That is the good news to which everything else in this text is tethered. </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">The Lord (our God) is near,</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">even while we wait for him to come in all his fullness. In fact, St Paul says, he is as close as a prayer. And when God</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s children take their worries and anxieties to the Lord in prayer, he will exchange their anxiety for his peace and calm their worried hearts with his love.</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">The sight of a mother cradling a squirming child in her arms and singing lullabies over him until he finally goes limp may be one of the sweetest and most serene things we can witness in this life. It</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s a scene as old as time, and perhaps it is what the prophet Zephaniah had in mind when he wrote one of the final (and most famous!) verses of his book: </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">The LORD your God is in your midst </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">….&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">(Zephaniah 3:17). When heard in the context of the other lectionary passages for the Third Sunday of Advent, God</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s often anxious and worried children can receive these words as an invitation to climb into the lap of their heavenly parent so that our heavenly parent might sooth them with the songs of his love and care.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="file:///C:/Users/Temp/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image006.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="267" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="file:///C:/Users/Temp/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image006.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="267" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFOWbqCKu60/XA4u-Bc64AI/AAAAAAAACaY/r1gRe4uVk5wIV98qkAI9BZZRPqapwD9JgCEwYBhgL/s1600/candy%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFOWbqCKu60/XA4u-Bc64AI/AAAAAAAACaY/r1gRe4uVk5wIV98qkAI9BZZRPqapwD9JgCEwYBhgL/s320/candy%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="officeArt_x0020_object" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:200.25pt; height:132.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Temp\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg" o:title=""/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span><br /></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">Then, having heard these songs, they might offer him one of their own, perhaps borrowing words from the prophet Isaiah: </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">t be afraid</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">(Isaiah 12:2). While the Apostle Paul seems to be doing everything, he can to free us from anxiety, John the Baptist seems to be doing everything he can to create anxiety in us. John</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s words are so full of alarm, he seems so determined to set us on edge. For John, the news that </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">the Lord is near</span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">is not only a promise that ought to comfort the afflicted. It is also a promise that ought to afflict the comfortable!</span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:12:00 +0000Margaret's Sunday Reflections: Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 2 December 2018http://margaretssundayreflections.blogspot.com/2018/12/sunday-service-marsden-road-uniting.html
<br /><div align="center" class="Body" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="Body" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b>&nbsp;</div><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Gathering God’s People</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Acknowledgement of First Peoples</span></u><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">From river to ocean, from campfire to hearth,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">May the First People who have cared for this Land be blessed.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">From breath to song, from step to dance,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">May those who follow Your Song lines guide us on the journey of living honourably in this place.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">From greeting to Amen, from silence to chorus.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">In making this acknowledgement we are declaring our awareness that God has been available to all people throughout all time. The first people knew of God’s intention for Creation long before they heard the word “God” and because of their authentic response to the Voice they heard were able to act in the way God wanted. That's all God asks. We don't need deep theological training. We simply need to be genuine in our seeking and in our response to the Voice wherever we find it</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><u style="text-underline: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">First Sunday of Advent&nbsp;(Promise)</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;Advent is here, and the wait for the birth of the Christ has begun</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;<i><u style="text-underline: black;">As we light the first candle, we are reminded of God’s promise of a Saviour.</u></i></span><i><u style="text-underline: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:14-16)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><u style="text-underline: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">God’s promise of hope is for all people; together, we anticipate the day of his coming.</span></u></i><i><u style="text-underline: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Holy God, you have promised to bring salvation and justice to your creation.&nbsp; As we wait for the arrival of the Saviour, may we live as those who have already been saved by your grace – and may we share that grace with others.&nbsp; Amen.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Hymn:</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"> <b>TIS 289 “Christmas is Coming” – </b></span><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Verse 1</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">In joining in this short liturgy we focused our minds on the coming pivotal event in the History of the world and the Human race. With the birth of Jesus of Nazareth everything changed.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><u style="text-underline: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Call to Worship</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"> - <b><i>(David N Mosser and other Sources)</i></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>The time is coming and now is when God’s promises will be fulfilled. Rejoice, the time is here....&nbsp;even if it is not yet fully realised. Into this time, we come—ready to listen, ready to open, ready to love. The time is coming and now is when we will be part of God’s promise fulfilled.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;It’s time to get ready. <b>It’s time to worship. </b>It’s time to get ready. <b>It’s time to be strong.</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">It’s time to get ready. <b>It’s time to love.</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Let’s worship together, that God may strengthen our love this day.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">The service proceeded as usual: we approached God in prayer. We confessed our sins and asked for forgiveness. And then we worshipped with our offerings, after which we entered into the <b><u style="text-underline: black;">Communion service.</u></b> The lines that jumped out and grabbed me were these:</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">“Because our bread has come from one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;arial unicode ms&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">The cup over which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">It is our responsibility to remember that we are one body. We are the Church and whatever we expect of the church, we are asking of ourselves. Not just as we, as an individual want to see things done or events take place but as part of that body, the church. That needs wisdom. Holy wisdom. From God.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Rev. John spoke of: <b>Seasons of Hope: Hoping Against Hope</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">He conceded that hope seems beyond us if our focus is on all the twisted behaviour of people.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">“When we look at the darkness that surrounds us—when we consider all the violence and wars and hatred and disease and poverty and, well, hopelessness that is the canvas upon which God intends to paint—then hope itself seems absurd. We are easily convinced that God simply can’t cover that much darkness.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">However, we are not hoping for the successes of this world, we are seeking the things of the Spirit</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">“What we are talking about is a hope that reflects the power of the Resurrection. As Christians, we celebrate everything throughout the year against the backdrop of the Resurrection. At this time of year, when we are contemplating the birth of Christ, we do so with the clear message that this is one who has come to defeat the darkness, to drive back the powers of evil and to bring victory in the face of death.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">This was reflected in the <b><u>Prayers for the People</u></b> as Caroline prayed “</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Thank you for Your faithfulness to guide us and see us through times of uncertainty, for lifting us up, and setting us on high.”<i> Caroline also reminded us that scripture is a treasure trove of promises and hope. She then referred to this season of expectation when we prepare to welcome Jesus once again, the author of all hope. And having faith in that hope, Caroline laid out the needs of our friends and family, asking, in that hope, for God’s comfort and support during the difficulties these people are experiencing.</i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span><b><u><span lang="FR" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Benediction</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Signs are all around <b>Christ is coming soon</b>.Signs are all around.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Christ has come to earth.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"> <i>Signs are all around.<b>Christmas is almost here.</b></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Signs are all around. <b>Christ’s love is needed now.</b> Signs are all around.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Calling us to love.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"> <i>Signs are all around. <b>Leading us forth with love. Sending us forth in</b></i> <b><i>peace.</i></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Go in the name of Christ<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> and Christmas love. <b>Amen</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span></u></b><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">Hymn TIS </span></u></b><b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">780</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">: May light come into your eyes.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Fri, 07 Dec 2018 21:52:00 +0000Whitestarhaven's Ramblings: Comfort in Our Anxiety.http://whitestarhaven.blogspot.com/2018/12/comfort-in-our-anxiety.html
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BaFZQE55oY/XAplLroD0II/AAAAAAAAEL0/kDb5Y4VSv9M2z-hZtXZDPcEnDeAEYCfEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/pauls-prayer-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BaFZQE55oY/XAplLroD0II/AAAAAAAAEL0/kDb5Y4VSv9M2z-hZtXZDPcEnDeAEYCfEwCEwYBhgL/s200/pauls-prayer-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We have seen all sorts of really traumatic and difficult things over this past year and it would not be difficult to become anxious and depressed. Yet we have also seen things that encourage and bring hope such as the rescue of the soccer team boys in Thailand. So as the stress and hectic rush leading to Christmas begins to overwhelm us, we are reminded in scripture not to be anxious. The Apostle Paul tells us not to be anxious—not to worry—about anything. But we tend to be people who worry about everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We worry about what will happen if someone doesn’t show up for the big family Christmas dinner (and also about what might happen if they do!). We worry about getting into the right school or university and about the financial aid package coming through. We worry about the cancer coming back and about our company being bought out. We worry about the security of our jobs and the safety of our kids. The congregation I serve has had a difficult year with the death of a number of deeply faithful and involved members who had been part of the fellowship for 30 to 40 years and the distraction of problems with the local Council. I would not be surprised if a number of our members were worried about what the future will bring and how long we can last as an entity despite over 150 years of life as a congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nod39uxU2Q/XApktgJaO6I/AAAAAAAAELo/4vVl0mRsVGQKPyxBB9M2TCGBe80d1BJWACEwYBhgL/s1600/slide_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nod39uxU2Q/XApktgJaO6I/AAAAAAAAELo/4vVl0mRsVGQKPyxBB9M2TCGBe80d1BJWACEwYBhgL/s200/slide_4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With so much to worry about, how is it that St Paul of Tarsus can tell us not to worry and not to be anxious? When Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in his Nazi prison cell, he penned a poem that included these words to the effect that we fearlessly wait, come what may, because God is with us on every new day. St Paul, writing to the church in Philippi from his own prison cell, says something similar. Why is it that we need not be anxious or afraid? Is it because whatever we are worried about is really “no big deal”? Or because God guarantees that everything will turn out for the best? Or even because God won’t give us any more hardship or pain than we can handle? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5awzR2JYWm0/XAplicZzCgI/AAAAAAAAEME/d5hHL6hp49ENjX84bYOW-Tl9HgMM_u4VQCEwYBhgL/s1600/J%2Bthe%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="149" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5awzR2JYWm0/XAplicZzCgI/AAAAAAAAEME/d5hHL6hp49ENjX84bYOW-Tl9HgMM_u4VQCEwYBhgL/s200/J%2Bthe%2BB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">No. St Paul says that we need not be anxious or afraid because “the Lord is near.” That is the good news to which everything else in this text is tethered. “The Lord (our God) is near,” even while we wait for him to come in all his fullness. In fact, St Paul says, he is as close as a prayer. And when God’s children take their worries and anxieties to the Lord in prayer, he will exchange their anxiety for his peace and calm their worried hearts with his love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The sight of a mother cradling a squirming child in her arms and singing lullabies over him until he finally goes limp may be one of the sweetest and most serene things we can witness in this life. It’s a scene as old as time, and perhaps it is what the prophet Zephaniah had in mind when he wrote one of the final (and most famous!) verses of his book: “The LORD your God is in your midst ….&nbsp;He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). When heard in the context of the other lectionary passages for the Third Sunday of Advent, God’s often anxious and worried children can receive these words as an invitation to climb into the lap of their heavenly parent so that our heavenly parent might sooth them with the songs of his love and care. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRkC8sKQTeg/XAplabMsCUI/AAAAAAAAEL8/hTfMRq-DT543DwqmxaFvgyKYfhBSP4IzQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Isaiah%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRkC8sKQTeg/XAplabMsCUI/AAAAAAAAEL8/hTfMRq-DT543DwqmxaFvgyKYfhBSP4IzQCEwYBhgL/s200/Isaiah%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then, having heard these songs, they might offer him one of their own, perhaps borrowing words from the prophet Isaiah: “God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won’t be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). While the Apostle Paul seems to be doing everything, he can to free us from anxiety, John the Baptist seems to be doing everything he can to create anxiety in us. John’s words are so full of alarm, he seems so determined to set us on edge. For John, the news that “the Lord is near” is not only a promise that ought to comfort the afflicted. It is also a promise that ought to afflict the comfortable!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAsMIaYRJxs/XAplr4GeVNI/AAAAAAAAEMI/1Ldbj8wRlN4wR2fLdGA7Xa1anwR4QG_6wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Luke03v01to06_2006%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="640" height="110" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gAsMIaYRJxs/XAplr4GeVNI/AAAAAAAAEMI/1Ldbj8wRlN4wR2fLdGA7Xa1anwR4QG_6wCEwYBhgL/s320/Luke03v01to06_2006%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div><br />Fri, 07 Dec 2018 12:25:00 +0000Whitestarhaven's Ramblings: Full of Emergency!http://whitestarhaven.blogspot.com/2018/11/full-of-emergency.html
<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkT9qDICmC4/XADfh_tVmYI/AAAAAAAAEKY/Ua3AuuvdS0sZaFSvrBjsvn-JdwFzQ3YAACEwYBhgL/s1600/advent-quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="138" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkT9qDICmC4/XADfh_tVmYI/AAAAAAAAEKY/Ua3AuuvdS0sZaFSvrBjsvn-JdwFzQ3YAACEwYBhgL/s200/advent-quote.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Well I am early this week with my blog and I could say I am so excited as we begin the season of Advent on Sunday. A Sunday when we remember to find hope and not to get swamped by a world that seems&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Full of Emergency! </b>But I have to be honest and say that the excitement of preparing for God's entry into the world hasn't quite gripped me yet and I have still to build up my feelings of hope. I am early simply because I have time and doing the blog now means I will hopefully get rest earlier on a Friday night.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But back to this weeks reading from Luke on this first Sunday of Advent. The events Jesus describes in Luke 21 would be enough to make even the bravest souls run for cover. This chapter is “full of emergency ….&nbsp;it’s a whole drum roll of disaster.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Seas surge. Planets shake. The earth groans and threatens to come undone. The world Jesus describes is full of events both terrible and terrifying. In other words, the world Jesus describes is not unlike our own. Wars? We’ve got those. Persecutions? Yes. Leaders kowtowing to vested interest of a few? Sure. Leaders who lie and cheat so that those who are poor and struggling become poorer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yes, they exist. Greed and Abuse that destroy innocence? We have them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfMctwl9jLo/XADfpUer4aI/AAAAAAAAEKk/7WHibbIanyQduBnWUruiTrmTJgEyHHMOgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Luke%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfMctwl9jLo/XADfpUer4aI/AAAAAAAAEKk/7WHibbIanyQduBnWUruiTrmTJgEyHHMOgCEwYBhgL/s200/Luke%2B21.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We’ve got all those and many locally here in Australia. Natural disasters? Yes certainly as we fail to deal with the reality of Climate Change. Why only in the last 2 weeks there has been flooding and storms in both Australia and Aotearoa (NZ) and fire storms in California and Queensland here in Australia. Have you visited News websites lately? Jesus’s predictions seem to be ripped right from the latest headlines. Are these terrible events a sign that the end is indeed near? Are they an indication that Jesus might come, in all his power and glory, next Tuesday afternoon? Perhaps. But perhaps such speculation misses the point. Perhaps the point is that it always feels like the end of the world somewhere. That somewhere might be in a Bola-stricken village in Africa or in the bombed-out streets of the Middle East. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But that somewhere might also be in the heart of the person in the pew who was laid off last week, or who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or who is facing their first Christmas alone. All these things can feel like the end of the world and can make us want to run for cover, to cower in a corner and quiver with fear. Yet Jesus insists that we need not be afraid. Instead, when things seem to be going from bad to worse to worse again, Jesus invites us to stand tall, to lift up our heads, and to strain our eyes toward the horizon because it is precisely at such desperate moments that he promises to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UJiE6TOWsA/XADga3l5UfI/AAAAAAAAEK0/n-OdTLNzZ3QFtdgNJRPCcBtqorCdKaZvwCEwYBhgL/s1600/4111624_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="593" height="136" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UJiE6TOWsA/XADga3l5UfI/AAAAAAAAEK0/n-OdTLNzZ3QFtdgNJRPCcBtqorCdKaZvwCEwYBhgL/s200/4111624_orig.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He may not come to us today as he will one day—riding on the clouds, with all his power and glory on full display. But he will be there by his Spirit, he still promises to come. And that is good news for today—even if the world does not end tomorrow!</span> <span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes we struggle to see this possibility in the depths of the problems of our lives. Often, we find it difficult as humans to believe and find the patience to await and be prepared for the promise to be fulfilled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Patience may be a virtue. But it is not one most of us want to cultivate. Instead, we download apps on our phones that let us skip the line at the coffee place that is “in” at the moment, pay for subscriptions with on-line companies that entitle us to quick delivery of our latest purchases, and spend our Friday nights watching whatever is available on Netflix Instant. We do not like to wait for coffee or a slow Internet connection. And we do not like to wait for God. We do not want to be patient and I am on that list at times. Like many, I want my phone connection to be working right now, my lunch in five minutes not fifteen. I often have to be reminded or remind myself about patience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsCVL5VIbdw/XADf6jq8ICI/AAAAAAAAEKs/vihgy141hpQoNv9NEx1XMOS8SvB6dSx8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/christmas-preperation1-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsCVL5VIbdw/XADf6jq8ICI/AAAAAAAAEKs/vihgy141hpQoNv9NEx1XMOS8SvB6dSx8gCEwYBhgL/s200/christmas-preperation1-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As one Anne Lamott observes, believing in God is easy. It is waiting on God that is hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Psalm 25 and Jeremiah 33 come as encouragement to those who are tired of waiting for God and who may be ready to give up. These texts from this week’s scriptures set for reading assure us that the one for whom we wait is faithful. Because he kept the promise he made through the prophet Jeremiah in Christ’s first advent, we can trust that he has not forgotten us, but will remember us according to his unfailing love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Someone I read but can’t remember the name of once wrote that the greatest challenge for people who believe in Christ’s second coming is to live the sort of life that reflects God’s call and Jesus’ example. It means that people will observe and say, so that’s how people are going to live when Gods call and example in Jesus takes over our world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>God’s people are called to act with love grace and righteousness. We are then assured that all such a life is not ultimately a result of our own striving but is the gift of the one who makes us “blameless in the sort of life that reveals God’s call to us. God would enable us to see a picture of holiness with a promise to “increase and enrich [our] love.” Such behaviour would be a sign to all that we are able to be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>lead into paths that are “loving and faithful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eA_gnXfWrbc/XADfzA08-jI/AAAAAAAAEKo/NNtAHhoQYf8eYqq9Jf_SFtu9wkaLV0EXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Luke21v25to36_2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="640" height="113" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eA_gnXfWrbc/XADfzA08-jI/AAAAAAAAEKo/NNtAHhoQYf8eYqq9Jf_SFtu9wkaLV0EXwCEwYBhgL/s320/Luke21v25to36_2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Fri, 30 Nov 2018 07:03:00 +0000Margaret's Sunday Reflections: Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 25 November 2018http://margaretssundayreflections.blogspot.com/2018/11/sunday-service-marsden-road-uniting_29.html
<br /> <br /><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Christ the King Sunday</span></u><u><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Today our focus was “Christ the King” which was reflected in the sermon, readings and hymns. The following hymns are all well known and give praise and thanksgiving for the joy Jesus brought to the world.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><u style="text-underline: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Hymns:</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Hymn 275: <i>Hail to the Lord’s anointed</i></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Hymn 293: <i>Unto us a boy is born! verses 1, 2, 4 &amp; 5</i></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Hymn 216: <i>Rejoice the Lord is King</i></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Hymn 279: <i>The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices</i></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Hymn<i></i>771: <i>Now to him who loved us</i></span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">I have selected a sentence from each reading which resonated with me:</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The First Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, <b>4&nbsp;</b>is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The Gospel Reading: John 18:33-37</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;"> “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Christ came to be our King. <b>We have come to be Christ’s people.</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The King of kings calls us to follow him. <b>We have come to be Christ’s people.</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Christ came to be our King. <b>We have come to be Christ’s people.</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Opening Prayer</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 28pt; text-indent: -28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Mighty Sovereign, we approach your throne to behold your glory. Open our eyes, that we</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 28pt; text-indent: -28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">might witness your Son coming with the clouds to rule with justice and righteousness. Open</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 28pt; text-indent: -28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">our hearts, that we may rejoice in your covenant, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning. Amen.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">&nbsp;<b>Prayer of Confession</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">&nbsp;Almighty God, we are intoxicated by power—</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">the power to dominate, the power to control, the power to punish, the power to reward, the power to have our own way.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">We live in a powerful country with powerful leaders and a powerful military.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Forgive us when we lose sight of what true power is all about. Forgive us when we forget that Jesus is our true and only King.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Help us refasten our gaze on Christ’s kingdom, that we might work to bring this kingdom here on earth.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">In the name of the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, we pray. Amen.</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></i></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">This is a very strong prayer where we confess that we have tried to usurp Jesus role and have tried to rule the world. No wonder things have come unstuck. We can't even run our own lives without running into trouble. We are such small people. Someone once said to me that there is something wrong with humans. If is only when we face that fact and hand over the reins to the creator that things can go right.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">&nbsp;<b>Declaration of Forgiveness</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">&nbsp;The Lord made a covenant with King David, promising faithfulness to his descendants. In Christ, we have a new covenant, assuring us forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace. In Christ, our true king, our lives are made whole.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Thanks be to God!</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Preaching of the Word - Famous Last Words</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">“…King David’s final words, as they are remembered by his people and written in scripture are eloquent and worthy of Israel’s great shepherd/poet. The most significant thing is the blessing they carry. The blessing is a useful reminder, even today, of the gifts and blessings available to not only the leaders of God’s people but to all the body of Christ. David’s words also imply that God has expectations of individuals, and those expectations must be taken to heart…</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">David was not the front-runner to succeed Saul as king, as he was young with no experience or hereditary rights. Most of the neighbours looked at him as that kid who spent most of his time outdoors with the sheep…</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">But Samuel, after looking over Jesse’s older sons, had David called in from the fields, and this suntanned, rough-clad poet, who probably smelled like the sheep he cared for, was judged by God to be beautiful…</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">David’s life, then, teaches us not only what it is to be a shepherd of God’s people, but also what it is to be human.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Jesus did not call himself king. He called himself a servant and proceeded to wrap himself in a towel and wash the feet of those who came to dinner with him. He did tell his followers what kind of people made up his kingdom: not the proud and greedy but the children, the poor, the abandoned, the lowly.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">This is worth remembering as we attempt to serve a God in the world. We are not promised recognition or status and certainly not wealth. Sometimes we may not even receive thanks. Our reward is in being the hands and mouth of our God. </span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Prayers of the People</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">In these prayers we turned to God to lift this world up above the mess that prevails. We asked for God’s help and comfort for those suffering in war, drought, illness or because of any evil wrought by selfish people. And we asked that God uplift all those working to alleviate the suffering caused by that selfishness. We prayed for those close to us and then joined in the Lord’s Prayer.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="FR" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Benediction</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The mighty one of Jacob sends us forth.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">We go with God’s blessing.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The rock of Israel sends us forth.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">We go with God’s blessing.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The Alpha and Omega sends us forth.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 87pt; text-indent: -87pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">We go with God’s blessing.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">And may the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life be with you and remain with you always, Amen</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 43pt; text-indent: -43pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:17:00 +0000Whitestarhaven's Ramblings: Things Are Not How They Appear.http://whitestarhaven.blogspot.com/2018/11/things-are-not-how-they-appear.html
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHCmgIogh48/W_ftAOnJFrI/AAAAAAAAEI4/9VqEfqSOuysSjxblwcc8K1sP18DxaTHiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Hope_Confident_expectation_black_plaque_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="480" height="140" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHCmgIogh48/W_ftAOnJFrI/AAAAAAAAEI4/9VqEfqSOuysSjxblwcc8K1sP18DxaTHiwCEwYBhgL/s200/Hope_Confident_expectation_black_plaque_large.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Is Jesus really the king?” It was Pilate’s question in John 18. But it is ours too. In a world that seems to be constantly falling apart (despite Psalm 93’s insistence that the King of kings has set it firmly in its place), it can be hard to believe that Jesus is really the king. Yet our faith tells us he is. But as Jesus reminds us in John 18, he is a different kind of king. Sometimes, he chooses to clothe himself in weakness instead of strength. As we read in the Psalms from our scriptures sometimes, he robes himself in meekness instead of majesty. Sometimes, he comes as the king of the cross instead of the king of glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Australians it seems are like North Americans in that they seem quick to blame their politicians when things go wrong but slow to give them credit when things go right. Although I must admit in recent times it is harder to find the things that are going right. King David it seems knew better and he uses soaring poetry to celebrate the difference a good king can make and to declare that another king (an even greater king than him!) is coming. David declares that it will happen. And thanks be to God, we Christians have faith that in Jesus Christ, it has. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I read somewhere that some years ago in the USA the company, Allstate Insurance ran a popular advertising campaign featuring a character named “Mayhem.” In each ad, Mayhem takes on a new form (a satellite dish, a texting teenager, or a poorly secured Christmas tree) to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting. After each incident, an ominous voice says, “Mayhem is everywhere.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;are you in good hands?” In a world full of mayhem, those Christians who come into worship this week may be wondering if they are in good hands. We hope that they may leave with the assurance that they are because Jesus is king.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5N6w1mHERA/W_f0dlgZsFI/AAAAAAAAEJU/lYeLXvnHjRUirB5vrbZ7AQf8wFYCwwjeACLcBGAs/s1600/Nicaea_icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="443" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5N6w1mHERA/W_f0dlgZsFI/AAAAAAAAEJU/lYeLXvnHjRUirB5vrbZ7AQf8wFYCwwjeACLcBGAs/s200/Nicaea_icon.jpg" width="147" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As we think and reflect upon Kings and kingship I am reminded that there is a scene in The Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy and her friends have finally gained an audience with the legendary Wizard. Smoke fills the air, his voice booms around them, and the four friends quake with fear—until Dorothy’s little dog Toto slips away, pulls back a curtain, and exposes the real Oz. That is when Dorothy and her friends discover that things are not how they first appeared. The great and powerful Oz is not so great and powerful after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Something similar happens in our scripture from Revelation 1 this week. Only this time, when the curtain is pulled back, the situation is reversed. With an oppressive emperor sitting on the throne in Rome and persecution breaking out all around them, John’s congregations may well have wondered if Jesus Christ was so great and powerful after all. It is chaos, not Jesus that appears to rule their world. Yet Revelation 1 insists that things are not how they appear. When the curtain is pulled back, Jesus Christ is not only revealed to be the one who will be the ruler of the kings of the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6FHMOoj48s/W_f0s1fncNI/AAAAAAAAEJY/a74w3h2Tj8krHLcECu51vhkM07zUT-EVwCLcBGAs/s1600/cover-34th-sunday-ot-b-christ-the-king-testifying-to-the-truth-november-25-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6FHMOoj48s/W_f0s1fncNI/AAAAAAAAEJY/a74w3h2Tj8krHLcECu51vhkM07zUT-EVwCLcBGAs/s200/cover-34th-sunday-ot-b-christ-the-king-testifying-to-the-truth-november-25-2018.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">No. He is spoken of as the one who is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Despite how things may first appear, his power and reign are seen as a present reality. John the writer of Revelation’s drives this point home when he twice insists that the Lord God is the one who is and was and will be (if you read Revelations 1 note how John breaks the expected sequence of past/present/future in order to place the present tense in the emphatic position). The “isness” of God’s presence and Christ’s reign are what the church celebrates on this Christ the King Sunday. Yes, we use the image that someday every eye will see him coming on the clouds. But those who have the eyes of faith can see that God is with us—today. So those of faith then say that Jesus is king—today. So he deserves our worship and allegiance—today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4TuZEe4QSM/W_f05dk8KxI/AAAAAAAAEJg/6SUdDWyrr0YDtHCWG7ejrth1f9rq3pGigCLcBGAs/s1600/John%2B18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="132" data-original-width="382" height="110" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4TuZEe4QSM/W_f05dk8KxI/AAAAAAAAEJg/6SUdDWyrr0YDtHCWG7ejrth1f9rq3pGigCLcBGAs/s320/John%2B18.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div><br />Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:39:00 +0000Margaret's Sunday Reflections: Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 18 November 2018http://margaretssundayreflections.blogspot.com/2018/11/sunday-service-marsden-road-uniting_19.html
<o:p></o:p><br /><div class="Body" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/></v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:200.25pt; height:200.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Temp\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" o:title=""/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today's Blog is written by Rev. John Candy</span>.</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COorFhNNBqE/W_KTp5A9mxI/AAAAAAAACZQ/KdiPyw_W06oqEySwnaQ_0d_LQtykMPTxQCLcBGAs/s1600/Great%2BExpectations%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COorFhNNBqE/W_KTp5A9mxI/AAAAAAAACZQ/KdiPyw_W06oqEySwnaQ_0d_LQtykMPTxQCLcBGAs/s320/Great%2BExpectations%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: black;"><!--[endif]--></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">When we woke up this morning, many of us stepped into a world of expectations. This was not a conscious decision; it's just where we live, in a land where life is so good we have the luxury of taking many things for granted. The air conditioning stayed on, so we could awake to a comfortable room temperature; and if it was dark when we awoke, we reached for a light switch, so the invisible dangers could be revealed. Then we walked into a room with running water inside the house. On a Sunday some of you will be even listening to my voice over the sound system you expected and hoped to work so you could hear me when I turned the switch on. However this Sunday will be different in that we are in Melbourne but the expectations are still there.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">So many things we expect in life we just take for granted until something doesn't work. The alarm doesn't go off. It's hot in the house. The light switch is non-responsive. We panic for a minute. We get frustrated. Then we think, "This is not how my day is supposed to be. My life is supposed to play out in such a way that I have all that I need to be comfortable. However, this morning, somebody or something flipped the script. And now I have no power when I'm supposed to have power."</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZLdDg2Ueb8/W_KTq3ryA5I/AAAAAAAACZY/Pe11xpKiNgInryRmcMfCH43iNznLuikUwCEwYBhgL/s1600/great%2BExpectations%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZLdDg2Ueb8/W_KTq3ryA5I/AAAAAAAACZY/Pe11xpKiNgInryRmcMfCH43iNznLuikUwCEwYBhgL/s1600/great%2BExpectations%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">Most of the rest of our world plays out a very different script; a minor power outage is disappointing. Outside of our country or outside of our neighbourhood there are problems and concerns many of us can't even begin to comprehend. There are illnesses that can't be treated, people dying in need of food, political and civil unrest, and overt exploitation and abuse of humanity and nature. A power outage in most of the world is a good day. Yet many of us see the discomfort and shock of power outages in this country, natural disasters like hurricanes and weather-pattern changes, wars in places where wars have been waged since the beginning of recorded history, and some of us interpret these events as "the sign of the times."</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jAu6V9FF_I/W_KTpwXwLcI/AAAAAAAACZg/ENNZ638A9yAGDadXwlaqD5im7yrZn9nUQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Great%2BExpectations%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jAu6V9FF_I/W_KTpwXwLcI/AAAAAAAACZg/ENNZ638A9yAGDadXwlaqD5im7yrZn9nUQCEwYBhgL/s320/Great%2BExpectations%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">Where we live, 'be alert' became more a catch-cry in the 'war against terror' or a tool in the weaponry of road-safety campaigners, than an issue of spiritual 'safety'. What kinds of spheres do we need to be alert in where we live? What do we expect our world to be like in such an environment? One field in which we certainly need to remain spiritually alert and informed about our expectations is in the face of the multitudinous cranks out there, peddling extremist, fundamentalist versions of what Jesus is on about.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">Not just in what we consider 'extremist' churches, but within mainline ones these days. The recent debates and news about abuse issues and about same gender acknowledgement are some examples. It can happen!</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">It doesn</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">t just happen out there somewhere but can happen right here amongst one</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s own community.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">&nbsp; </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">How can we live in our time and God's time at the same time, in the world and in the church as Christ's Body, and do it free from fear? 'Perfect love casts out fear' says John. Persecution of Christians these days in some of our societies is just as likely to come from fundamentalist protestant or catholic factions within churches more than from outside.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYSMHPWywmM/W_KTp6KStJI/AAAAAAAACZc/h7BJQIfYHAQ_rYSbq0tIAHXlCJUBoCl9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Great%2BExpectations%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="320" height="142" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYSMHPWywmM/W_KTp6KStJI/AAAAAAAACZc/h7BJQIfYHAQ_rYSbq0tIAHXlCJUBoCl9gCEwYBhgL/s400/Great%2BExpectations%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:200.25pt;height:150pt; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Temp\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg" o:title=""/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span><br /></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">Those out there in the wide margins can still persecute and the possibility is growing within in some quarters. The places where misguided people try to draw in church margins tightly round fellow Christians. Isn't it ironic that that's the way Jesus' warnings may be fulfilled today? That Jesus speaks of wars, earthquakes, and famines, as 'the beginning of birth-pangs' could be a helpful way of exploring the pains that our world still - as always - labours under. We have become very comfortable with the expectation that all will remain the same or get better. I really wonder where our focus might be. Is it in the expectation of all the comforts being there and available all the time?</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">On the other hand, is it on where God calls us to be and is it on the most important thing of God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s great love for us. What do we really have to bear to bring something worthwhile to birth? Have we even thought about it? Have we thought about what it is we are meant to be doing here and now?</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">&nbsp; </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">As distinct from theological philosophising, what practical and constructive steps must we take to 'endure to the end'? I will leave you with some more questions to ponder over the next weeks before our focus is taken to shops and parties and gifts and all the other trappings of our western Christmas lifestyle.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">Are we as Christians or even those outside the faith listening for what we say and working out how we act in love as we face those whom we meet day to day? And what is this end that Jesus talks about? Whom, is the end for and is it important? Is the Christian call to be working to enable God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18.5pt;">s kingdom to be here and now in his love the most important thing? Is this scripture passage too close to the bone?</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="officeArt_x0020_object" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:320.25pt; height:114pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Temp\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg" o:title=""/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="152" src="file:///C:/Users/Temp/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image008.jpg" v:shapes="officeArt_x0020_object" width="427" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div>Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:13:00 +0000Whitestarhaven's Ramblings: Expectations!http://whitestarhaven.blogspot.com/2018/11/when-we-woke-up-this-morningmany-of-us.html
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qn5TLcHH7fY/W-8rRQaDe6I/AAAAAAAAEH4/RuKnnNxJTooXeXOCfyIlsMWFXxshPYwBACLcBGAs/s1600/GreatExpectations-Popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1050" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qn5TLcHH7fY/W-8rRQaDe6I/AAAAAAAAEH4/RuKnnNxJTooXeXOCfyIlsMWFXxshPYwBACLcBGAs/s200/GreatExpectations-Popup.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When we woke up this morning, many of us stepped into a world of expectations. This was not a conscious decision; it's just where we live, in a land where life is so good we have the luxury of taking many things for granted. The air conditioning stayed on, so we could awake to a comfortable room temperature; and if it was dark when we awoke, we reached for a light switch, so the invisible dangers could be revealed. Then we walked into a room with running water inside the house. On a Sunday some of you will be even listening to my voice over the sound system you expected and hoped to work so you could hear me when I turned the switch on. However this Sunday will be different in that we are in Melbourne but the expectations are still there.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So many things we expect in life we just take for granted until something doesn't work. The alarm doesn't go off. It's hot in the house. The light switch is non-responsive. We panic for a minute. We get frustrated. Then we think, "This is not how my day is supposed to be. My life is supposed to play out in such a way that I have all that I need to be comfortable. However, this morning, somebody or something flipped the script. And now I have no power when I'm supposed to have power." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Most of the rest of our world plays out a very different script; a minor power outage is disappointing. Outside of our country or outside of our neighbourhood there are problems and concerns many of us can't even begin to comprehend. There are illnesses that can't be treated, people dying in need of food, political and civil unrest, and overt exploitation and abuse of humanity and nature. A power outage in most of the world is a good day. Yet many of us see the discomfort and shock of power outages in this country, natural disasters like hurricanes and weather-pattern changes, wars in places where wars have been waged since the beginning of recorded history, and some of us interpret these events as "the sign of the times." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHWRhhqtFkA/W-8rzz_AHhI/AAAAAAAAEIM/_tMcLHZvR6UlZBjdsR6qfVmfaWnc5nQlwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Expect-the-Unexpected-podcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="670" height="85" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHWRhhqtFkA/W-8rzz_AHhI/AAAAAAAAEIM/_tMcLHZvR6UlZBjdsR6qfVmfaWnc5nQlwCEwYBhgL/s200/Expect-the-Unexpected-podcast.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Where we live, 'be alert' became more a catch-cry in the 'war against terror' or a tool in the weaponry of road-safety campaigners, than an issue of spiritual 'safety'. What kinds of spheres do we need to be alert in where we live? What do we expect our world to be like in such an environment? One field in which we certainly need to remain spiritually alert and informed about our expectations is in the face of the multitudinous cranks out there, peddling extremist, fundamentalist versions of what Jesus is on about. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Not just in what we consider 'extremist' churches, but within mainline ones these days. The recent debates and news about abuse issues and about same gender acknowledgement are some examples. It can happen! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It doesn’t just happen out there somewhere but can happen right here amongst one’s own community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How can we live in our time and God's time at the same time, in the world and in the church as Christ's Body, and do it free from fear? 'Perfect love casts out fear' says John. Persecution of Christians these days in some of our societies is just as likely to come from fundamentalist protestant or catholic factions within churches more than from outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXkZaA-IQyY/W-8rw98IpzI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/TBsgS66P9jcJ0LbEJ1Tc8Qx6qgDJp7J8QCEwYBhgL/s1600/expectation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="149" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXkZaA-IQyY/W-8rw98IpzI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/TBsgS66P9jcJ0LbEJ1Tc8Qx6qgDJp7J8QCEwYBhgL/s200/expectation.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Those out there in the wide margins can still persecute and the possibility is growing within in some quarters. The places where misguided people try to draw in church margins tightly round fellow Christians. Isn't it ironic that that's the way Jesus' warnings may be fulfilled today? That Jesus speaks of wars, earthquakes, and famines, as 'the beginning of birth-pangs' could be a helpful way of exploring the pains that our world still - as always - labours under. We have become very comfortable with the expectation that all will remain the same or get better. I really wonder where our focus might be. Is it in the expectation of all the comforts being there and available all the time? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On the other hand, is it on where God calls us to be and is it on the most important thing of God’s great love for us. What do we really have to bear to bring something worthwhile to birth? Have we even thought about it? Have we thought about what it is we are meant to be doing here and now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As distinct from theological philosophising, what practical and constructive steps must we take to 'endure to the end'? I will leave you with some more questions to ponder over the next weeks before our focus is taken to shops and parties and gifts and all the other trappings of our western Christmas lifestyle. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Are we as Christians or even those outside the faith listening for what we say and working out how we act in love as we face those whom we meet day to day? And what is this end that Jesus talks about? Whom, is the end for and is it important? Is the Christian call to be working to enable God’s kingdom to be here and now in his love the most important thing? Is this scripture passage too close to the bone?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwjbg5lgom8/W-8rdWrwt4I/AAAAAAAAEIE/aflNnYEzf4IAZcnk3V_3T-qyHLRyOf1mwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Mark13v01to08_2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="640" height="113" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwjbg5lgom8/W-8rdWrwt4I/AAAAAAAAEIE/aflNnYEzf4IAZcnk3V_3T-qyHLRyOf1mwCEwYBhgL/s320/Mark13v01to08_2003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br />Fri, 16 Nov 2018 20:44:00 +0000Margaret's Sunday Reflections: Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 11 November 2018http://margaretssundayreflections.blogspot.com/2018/11/sunday-service-marsden-road-uniting_13.html
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="file:///C:/Users/Temp/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="267" /></a><br /><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Society’s Fringe Dwellers</strong></span></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><strong></strong></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This week's blog is by Rev. John Candy.</span></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2ZL7uzfmsE/W-tntP8hMsI/AAAAAAAACY4/mlFUidEjgfQfSQEYChyRU0mn_OMhciwTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/john%2Bblog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><br /><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2ZL7uzfmsE/W-tntP8hMsI/AAAAAAAACZE/vyEE9w-Ju8AdCgl3yC4LfZVkRqvXGH85QCEwYBhgL/s1600/john%2Bblog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2ZL7uzfmsE/W-tntP8hMsI/AAAAAAAACZE/vyEE9w-Ju8AdCgl3yC4LfZVkRqvXGH85QCEwYBhgL/s320/john%2Bblog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Often, something positive eventually comes from a disaster. This does not mean that the disaster was God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s way of achieving the positive. The birth of David results from Ruth</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s union with Boaz (encouraged by Naomi), but the biblical events preceding that— Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s incest with his daughters, the famine and death of Naomi</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s family— are not God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s preferred method of bringing grace into the world.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">If we look at Divorce despite it not being ideal and not what God wants for us it is necessary because of our choices and mistakes. The way God calls us to live as shown in the life of Jesus seems so perfect, yet we are forgiven as we struggle to live in a holy way. Out of divorce can come positive things as we evaluate our own mistakes in the relationship and work towards not making them again. Out of the pain can come positive growth that enables the person going through divorce to be much more fully present and available in their following relationships including maybe a new partner.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">One of the first widow</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s I ever understood to be a widow was young. She was someone I had known in the community and her husband died of a heart attack while playing basketball. He was twenty-nine. Suddenly, the notion of widowhood became clear to me. It was not that a woman simply outlived her husband, but that there was a blank space at the table, an empty side of the bed, a phone number that goes unanswered, conversations that become one-sided. Widows and widowers of all ages and circumstances frequently surround us. And we forget their status.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWcGNMWBe1k/W-tnsN5BDXI/AAAAAAAACY8/ItnCx8Tojb0qpYXZ5v584XensGt7lG03gCEwYBhgL/s1600/john%2Bblog%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="200" height="232" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWcGNMWBe1k/W-tnsN5BDXI/AAAAAAAACY8/ItnCx8Tojb0qpYXZ5v584XensGt7lG03gCEwYBhgL/s320/john%2Bblog%2B2.jpg" width="320" /><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></span></a></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We forget that they are among those considered most vulnerable and most wise in Scripture. We forget that God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s heart is with them. It is critical to remember that her beloved, deceased partner may not have been a saint, but she will still grieve. That the person still living is still thinking of their loved one, even if you are afraid to bring up the subject. That she may grow accustomed to her new state, but never stop missing the ones who rest in light. Being widowed, being left out of partnership, should not mean being left out of community.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Let not the community of God forsake those who mourn. It is not enough to say God is with them. We are to be the hands, words, and consolation of the Spirit with widows, orphans, and strangers. Throughout his ministry, Jesus called to attention those on the margins of society, those who had previously gone unnoticed, the poor, the blind, the lame, the beggars, the lepers, military personnel, and widows. It</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s a reminder particularly as many of us in Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand) will be marking Armistice or Remembrance Day which falls this Sunday. These are the same people we find on the margins of our societies today. Those who still are excluded, those whom society looks down on or simply ignores. A widow, living in poverty created by the institution charged with her care. An aged person placed in a Home as there is no one to manage things for them or even visit them.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Eidbb3yej0/W-tnsPW-mAI/AAAAAAAACZA/N7qzbXxNGOAbtFd9e7XFqWonMJaK6qKggCEwYBhgL/s320/john%2Bblog%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></div><div align="center" class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This gospel reading from Mark 12 that continues today doesn</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">t seem like good news: A widow giving her all to a corrupt institution, an institution that fails to care for her as it is supposed to do. But she gives anyway. And Jesus commends her giving. He commends her and condemns the system. Jesus holds her up as an example of how small but significant acts can break down a cycle of injustice and corruption.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In the culture of Jesus, widows were non-people. Without a man to support or validate them in society, they were non-beings. Vulnerable and invalid, it was easy not to see them. It is easy not to see the people on our streets living without shelter, food or clothing. It</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s easy not see the desperation of the refugees trying to reach countries where they might be better off. It</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s easy to blame the poor, the immigrants, the refugees, the disabled and many others who are suffering. Yet, Jesus not only notices widows on many occasions during his ministry, in this week</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s text, he actually uses a widow to teach trust and reliance on God.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uXNZ5ZbAw4/W-tnsZ7kEiI/AAAAAAAACZE/RZ6M_rymYKwIHinup9Er2ecV1FkCVnfTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/john%2Bblog%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="200" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uXNZ5ZbAw4/W-tnsZ7kEiI/AAAAAAAACZE/RZ6M_rymYKwIHinup9Er2ecV1FkCVnfTgCEwYBhgL/s320/john%2Bblog%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This gospel is not talking to us about a comparative giving table, steering the prosperous to give more. It is encouragement for those who go against the grain, who practice subversion in whatever way they can, even in the face of injustice. Who, by their subversion, make inroads into creating justice and fairness for all God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">s people. It doesn</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">t always take placards and a lot of shouting for trends and policies to be reversed. Persistent, simple subversion also does the trick.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #28aae0; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="officeArt_x0020_object" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:200.25pt; height:150.75pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Temp\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg" o:title=""/></v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="201" src="file:///C:/Users/Temp/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image008.jpg" v:shapes="officeArt_x0020_object" width="267" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:14:00 +0000